Not just for books: Public libraries provide services for new Canadians

For newcomers to Canada, finding thatfirst job and learning English can be difficult work but public libraries across Metro Vancouver canhelp.

"We have such a range of resources to help peopleintegrate into a new community," said Kristen Andrews, manager ofGuildfordand Port Kellslibraries in Surrey."Thingsto learn English, things to read in their first language, programs to come to."

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Over the the years, thelibrarieshavehelped newcomers adjust to life in Canada, Andrewssaid.It hasbooks in several languages,software programs to learn English and book clubsgeared towardnew Canadians.

"(English as a second language) book club is for peoplewho are working on their English,"Andrews said. "They might not want to be in a regular book club with a 500-page book, so we've got a little bit shorter booksand the knowledge that everyone is working on their English."

Job search workshops

For thoselooking for a job, there are resume workshops, Andrews said.

"Newcomers especially, we like to show them our English language learning resources, our career and job search workshops," she said.

"Maybe they're not surewhere to begin for finding a new job, or they're coming from a country where they have certain qualifications and it doesn'ttranslate the way that they had hoped in Canada,so we have workshops to get them rolling."

The library also has services to help peoplewanting to start their own business, said information officerMeghan Savage.

"One woman shewas asking about starting her own company because she bakes and so I was helping her with business resources, starting a company in B.C., like how you get that rolling, and she's actually got it going now," Savage said. "So it's exciting to see that transition."

Library staffspeak a number of languages and all theservices are free.